Sunny skies and smiling faces greeted students back to school in Gloucester and Mathews counties bright and early Monday morning for the 2026-2027 academic year. The superintendents of both districts reported they had successful openings with very few challenges. In Gloucester Superintendent of Gloucester County Public Schools Dr. Anthony Vladu said that Monday’s first-day enrollment reached 4,627 students. The district is funded for an average daily membership of 4,528. “It usually goes up from here,” said Vladu. The Office of Transportation implemented new bus routing software this year with a new app, My Ride. There were only a few minor hiccups throughout the day, speaking to the office’s depth of planning. “We delivered all students safely home by 5:30,” said Vladu. Staff, teachers and administrators also helped with individual vehicle drop-off and pick-up operations, a process that can be complicated. Gloucester High and Botetourt Elementary schools both received updated drop-off...